Politics

3:47 pm

Mon March 31, 2014

Kirk, Rauner: health care program poses problems for state

Monday was the final day for most people to sign up for health insurance this year under the Affordable Care Act. Two prominent Illinois Republicans say the state could face some big problems down the road because of the program.

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk says the state is often late reimbursing doctors for Medicaid.

And that could lead to more doctors refusing to see those patients altogether.

KIRK: I think for most people it doesn’t really matter if a politician Springfield tells them they have health insurance. The question is, is their family actually going to be covered?

A spokesman for the Illinois Comptroller says the state has more than 600 million dollars in Medicaid bills dating back to January.